Hulking high school football coach accused of brawling with three players during practice
Jamir Clarke was arrested after getting into a physical altercation with the students during football practice. Broward Sheriff's Office
A Florida high school football coach is facing serious charges after allegedly assaulting multiple students during practice, just weeks after being accused of attacking another student at a different school.
Blanche Ely High School assistant football coach Jamir Clarke, 29, was arrested Monday following a violent altercation with players, according to a Broward Sheriff’s Office report.
The incident began when Clarke reportedly confronted one of his players about a negative social media post. After the student admitted to writing it, Clarke allegedly insulted him and struck him. Teammates then rushed to defend the student, sparking a chaotic brawl in which Clarke is accused of throwing punches at multiple players.
One student trying to break up the fight was also hit. Deputies later found Clarke sitting on the weight room floor in the dark after the scuffle, and he was taken into custody. A mirror inside the facility had been shattered during the fight.
The school district confirmed Clarke has been removed from his coaching duties. “We are deeply disturbed by this incident, as the safety and well-being of our students is our number one priority,” Broward County Public Schools said in a statement.
Clarke has been charged with four counts of child abuse without great bodily harm. He was booked on a $30,000 bond and released under house arrest with a GPS monitor.
At a court hearing, prosecutors argued that Clarke’s size — 6-foot-7 and 400 pounds — combined with his failure to de-escalate the situation made him a danger to students. They also highlighted a previous case earlier this month, when Clarke, working as a campus monitor at Monarch High School in Coconut Creek, was caught on video punching a student inside a school bathroom.
The district said it was unaware of that footage until Clarke’s arrest. He has been employed with Broward County Public Schools since December 2024 and is currently reassigned pending further disciplinary action, which could include termination.
Parents and students at both schools expressed outrage after the video surfaced. “As an adult, you should have more patience with kids,” said parent Shaka Williams. “Putting your hands on a student is never OK.”
Student Isaiah Robinson added that Clarke’s behavior was not surprising, saying he has “a history of it.”
If convicted, Clarke faces up to five years in prison for each of the four charges.
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